The Sabha of Chidambaram
After a previous post about the Chit Sabha in the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram I was asked what is actually in the Sabha. I am happy about the question, it is a good question, but not answered in a jiffy. … Continued
Chit Sabha, the Hall of Wisdom
The Chit Sabha is the holiest structure within the Nataraja temple of Chidambaram. It is the sanctum where Lord Nataraja performs his Cosmic Dance. It is found within the Nataraja temple proper, at the centre of the inner courtyard. To … Continued
Shiva Gajasamharamurti, slaying the Elephant Demon, Kailasha temple in Ellora
As always it makes me sad to note a sacred place has lost its living tradition. And has even lost its history. Besides I am really a bit surprised that with some 200 years of studies behind us there are … Continued
A dance performance somewhere en route on the Coromandel in 1786, through the eyes of Jacob Haafner
Jacob Haafner loved Indian dance and the dancers. This is how he describes enjoying a performance “How fast and free are all the movements of the quick nymphs, how their gestures correspond with their steps, how pleasing and enchanting are … Continued
Kailasha temple at Ellora, sculptural plan part 3, Gopuram inner face.
Notes and thoughts on the sculptural program of the gopuram of the Shri Kailashanatha temple of Ellora. Now our attentions turns to the inner face of the gopuram of the Kailashanatha. One of the things that is noticeable is … Continued
Kailasha temple at Ellora, sculptural plan part 2, Gopuram passage.
Notes and thoughts on the sculptural program of the gopuram of the Shri Kailasha temple of Ellora. Although Christel has not posted photos, I expect that at numbers 5 and 6 there will also be some kind of guardian figure. … Continued
Kailasha temple at Ellora, sculptural plan part 1, Gopuram outer face.
Notes and thoughts on the sculptural program of the gopuram of the Kailasha temple of Ellora. Numbers refer to accompanying ground plans, (not to scale) The river goddesses are framing the entrance at the outside face instead of gracing … Continued
Jacob Haafner’s* Mahabalipuram: comparable to the miracles of Egypt.
Jacob Haafner was an 18th century traveller from Amsterdam. He wrote extensively about his time in India. Here an excerpt of his description of Mahabalipuram, the first published in the West. With the dawn we boarded again in our … Continued
Adi Perukku, the Tamil Calendar and the Archaeology of Time
Adiperukku On the 18th of the month of Adi, which falls on the 2nd of August of the Gregorian calendar in 2012, people in Tamil Nadu will celebrate Adiperukku, the festival of the descent of the river Cauvery. It is … Continued